I need to buy a calculator for math class

BU Medical Sciences
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Get that ti inspire or an 89. Both got the job done for my math classes.
 
Most of my math classes would not allow anything fancy - non-programmable or outright no calculators at all. Buy the cheapest calc that has trig functions and you should be all set.
 
Doctor Strange said:
How do you not have a calculator already? I've had a TI-83+ since middle school and have used it all through college. You can get one pretty cheap on eBay.
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Throughout high school I was provided one and was not allowed to use my own
 
Scientific-HP 35s

Graphing-HP 50g

Both are reverse polish notation calculators, although they do operate in algebraic mode.

(Saves time and prevents errors on HWs/Quizzes/Exams--don't have to worry about stupid parenthesis).

Screw TI calculators. Once you use an HP, get over the learning curve, and learn RPN (reverse polish notation) you never go back. My HP 50g is WAY more powerful than my TI 89. My TI 89 has been sitting in a drawer eating dust for a couple of years now 🙂.
 
TI-83+. 10th grade till now and it's still going strong.
 
Any scientific calculator will do you well unless you're planning on engineering or some insane abstract math major. Just make sure the math and science departments at your school doesn't have a limit on what you can use.

As for me, I have a TI-84 + Silver.
 
Agent B said:
I use a slide rule.
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Yep. It's the preferred method of multiplication.

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Owned it since 10th grade and still using it today
 
Dat dere 83+ or 89.

Not too familiar with CASIO models.
 
I absolutely loved this scientific calculator: Sharp EL-W516B

TI 30XIIS is okay, too.

This calculator, however, is PURE EVIL. Have a friend from Chem last semester who was consistently getting 5 points less on exams than me, and she'd use exactly the same set-up in her problems, but because of her wonky, clumsy calculator her calculations were coming out wrong. AVOID AVOID AVOID.
 
TI30XS multiview has done me well since gen chem (assuming you're not in the market for a graphing calculator). It lets you see old calculations and lets you see everything you're putting in - super important to make sure you actually put the numbers in correctly!
 
I had a TI-89 when they first came out back in the day. It was awesome. I'm sure they have some version of that now.

In medical school, we're only allowed to use the old school calculators that are given to us by the department for each exam we take that requires calculations. So don't get too comfortable with a graphing calculator!!!
 
But seriously...

please buy a ti-84. best calc out there (i guarantee it). I have the ti-84 silver edition, i love it
 
ti-83, ti-84 and ti-89 titanium are all great. The 84 and 89 are easier to read but are more expensive; get those used, I found a used on eBay 89 for $70
 
If you're going for a graphing calculator, go TI (doesn't really matter which one).

If you're going for a scientific calculator (less fancy), go TI.

Seriously, though...TI calculators are well made, easy to use, and INDESTRUCTIBLE.
Dropped in the bucket of bleach in lab? Still works.
Dropped it off a balcony? Still works.
Dropped it in the back yard, found it by stepping on it after 3mo of record-breaking snowfall and VA's constant freeze-thaw cycle? Wait for the condensation on the inside of the screen to dry out, oh wait...Still. works.

And yes, these are all real examples, for a single TI calculator over 2yrs...never even looked beat up, no sticking buttons, etc.

Yeah, I know...a calculator's a calculator. Still, they can be well set-up (intuitive keyboard), well-made (no cheap-feeling buttons) and durable. In my experience, TIs usually hit all three marks.
 
Lady Netter said:
TI30XS multiview has done me well since gen chem (assuming you're not in the market for a graphing calculator). It lets you see old calculations and lets you see everything you're putting in - super important to make sure you actually put the numbers in correctly!
Click to expand...

I concur with any of the the TI -30's. Unless you need a graphing calculator I have found across a couple colleges this is the one that is preferred and allowed on exams. Then again I'm bias since I prefer to do as much by hand that I can and and write down everything. Forces me to check and recheck my work and keeps me decent at not relying on a fancy calculator. =)
 
It's going to depend on the class.

A lot of calculus classes do not allow the IT-89 because it can do derivatives and integrate. If your prof doesn't care though, I'd go with the IT-89 Titanium.

If you need it for a stats class I would go with the IT-84 Plus Silver

For any other class, like physics, I would go with the IT-89 Titanium as it can solve for variables.
 
Ti-30XIIS or a TI-84 silver. If your class and budget allows it, get a TI-89 or an nspire.
 
mehc012 said:
If you're going for a graphing calculator, go TI (doesn't really matter which one).

If you're going for a scientific calculator (less fancy), go TI.

Seriously, though...TI calculators are well made, easy to use, and INDESTRUCTIBLE.
Dropped in the bucket of bleach in lab? Still works.
Dropped it off a balcony? Still works.
Dropped it in the back yard, found it by stepping on it after 3mo of record-breaking snowfall and VA's constant freeze-thaw cycle? Wait for the condensation on the inside of the screen to dry out, oh wait...Still. works.

And yes, these are all real examples, for a single TI calculator over 2yrs...never even looked beat up, no sticking buttons, etc.

Yeah, I know...a calculator's a calculator. Still, they can be well set-up (intuitive keyboard), well-made (no cheap-feeling buttons) and durable. In my experience, TIs usually hit all three marks.
Click to expand...

My HP 50g is WAY stronger than any piece of c*** TI calculator.

Plus, the screen is much easier to read on my HP calculator(s). It is way more clear.

My keypad is not nearly as cheaply made either. The keys are slanted (much more ergonomical) and I can even adjust the key response rate on my HP 50g.

The LCDs on the TI calculators are soooo cheap it isn't even funny. As I said before, my TI-89, that alot of you "covet", is sitting in the drawer eating dust.

Learn RPN and you will make fewer errors.
 
moco89 said:
My HP 50g is WAY stronger than any piece of c*** TI calculator.

Plus, the screen is much easier to read on my HP calculator(s). It is way more clear.

My keypad is not nearly as cheaply made either. The keys are slanted (much more ergonomical) and I can even adjust the key response rate on my HP 50g.

The LCDs on the TI calculators are soooo cheap it isn't even funny. As I said before, my TI-89, that alot of you "covet", is sitting in the drawer eating dust.

Learn RPN and you will make fewer errors.
Click to expand...

Let's please not take SDN to unparalleled heights of nerdom and argue about who had the better calculator
 
U Wot M8 said:
Let's please not take SDN to unparalleled heights of nerdom and argue about who had the better calculator
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Yeah, sorry...did NOT intend to start anything. I haven't had any non-TIs (I bought one in middle school and it never broke, so...) so I can't participate anyway. I just really liked mine. Not saying it was better or worse than any other one, specifically, just that it was good and if the OP just wants a pointer towards a good, non-graphing calculator, there you have it!

Besides, sounds like he's talking about graphing calcs anyway, which a) the OP didn't want and b) you end up getting whatever your prof teaches the class in, so recommendations are rather pointless!

On a side note, can I lol a little at needing an 'ergonomical' calculator keyboard setup?
 
Last edited:
moco89 said:
My HP 50g is WAY stronger than any piece of c*** TI calculator.

Plus, the screen is much easier to read on my HP calculator(s). It is way more clear.

My keypad is not nearly as cheaply made either. The keys are slanted (much more ergonomical) and I can even adjust the key response rate on my HP 50g.

The LCDs on the TI calculators are soooo cheap it isn't even funny. As I said before, my TI-89, that alot of you "covet", is sitting in the drawer eating dust.

Learn RPN and you will make fewer errors.
Click to expand...

My slide rule is way better than your "high-tech" calculator.
 
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